Perfect Autumn Plan: Benxi Water Cave + Guanmenshan Red Leaf Tour

Benxi Water Cave is the longest underground water-filled karst cave in Asia. The cave features unique landscapes, and taking a small boat through it to admire the stalactites illuminated by lights is a truly magical experience. I have prepared a concise and practical travel guide for you to help plan your trip.

🚣‍♂️ Benxi Water Cave Travel Guide

✨ Highlights

· Unique Water Cave Experience: Benxi Water Cave is the longest underground water-filled karst cave in Asia. You can take a small boat to navigate the underground dark river and admire the stalactites and stalagmites formed over hundreds of years, which look very dreamy under the lighting.
· Suitable Year-Round: The cave maintains a constant temperature of about 12°C, making it a great summer escape from the heat and a warm place to enjoy snowy scenery in winter.
· Rich Nearby Attractions: Besides the water cave, the scenic area also includes a Geological Museum and a Petrified Wood Park. Nearby attractions worth visiting include Guanmenshan National Forest Park and Tangkou Hot Springs.

📌 Basic Information

Item Information Icon
Opening Hours Peak Season (April-October): 8:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30) 🕗
Off-Season (November-March): 8:30-16:00 (last entry at 15:30)
Ticket Prices Water Cave + Dry Cave Combo Ticket: 140 RMB (includes boat ride) 🎫
Geological Museum: 40 RMB
Petrified Wood Park: 50 RMB
(Discounts available for students/seniors with ID; children under 1.3 meters free)
Recommended Visit Duration 3-4 hours ⏱
Best Seasons Spring and Autumn 🌸

🗺️ Transportation Guide

· Self-Drive: From Shenyang, take the Shendan Expressway (about 1 hour) to the Benxi North exit, then drive about 30 minutes along the Benhuan Road to reach the site. There is a parking lot at the scenic area, charging 10 RMB/day.
· Public Transport: Take a high-speed train from Shenyang Station or Shenyang North Station to Benxi Station (about 20 minutes), then transfer to a dedicated shuttle bus (15 RMB per person, about 40 minutes) directly to the scenic area.

🏞️ Attractions and Activities

```mermaid
flowchart TD
A[Benxi Water Cave Tour] --> B[Water Cave]
A --> C[Dry Cave]
A --> D[Geological Museum]
A --> E[Petrified Wood Park]

B --> B1[Boat Tour
About 30 minutes]
B1 --> B2[Admire Stalactite Wonders
such as Jade Elephant Playing in Water, Stalactite Peaks, etc.]

C --> C1[Walking Exploration
About 10 minutes]
C1 --> C2[View Karst Landforms
such as Ancient Well, Dragon Pool, etc.]

D --> D1[Learn Geological Knowledge]
D --> D2[Interactive Experiences]

E --> E1[View Ancient Tree Fossils]
E --> E2[Challenge Bridge Crossing Activity]
```

📅 Recommended Itineraries

· Half-Day Tour (about 4 hours): Mainly visit the water cave and dry cave. If time is tight, you can skip the museum and petrified wood park.
· Full-Day Tour: Visit the water cave and dry cave in the morning, have lunch outside the scenic area or in Benxi city (try the local specialty, Xiaoshi Lamb Soup), then in the afternoon choose to visit the Geological Museum, Petrified Wood Park, or take a walk in nearby Guanmenshan National Forest Park based on your interests.

💡 Practical Tips

· Clothing: The cave stays around 12°C year-round, so bring a light jacket to avoid getting cold. The ground may be slippery, so wear non-slip shoes.
· Avoid Peak Times: Weekends and holidays are crowded. For a quieter visit, go on weekdays.
· Photography Tips: The cave is dimly lit; avoid using flash (to protect the stalactites). Try using your phone’s night mode or a camera’s long exposure function.
· Food Options: On-site restaurants tend to be expensive, so it’s recommended to bring some snacks and water. If you want to try local cuisine, after your visit head to Benxi city to try Xiaoshi Lamb Soup or grilled tofu skin.

🌟 Nearby Combined Tours

If you have more time, consider combining Benxi Water Cave with nearby attractions:

· Guanmenshan National Forest Park: About 30 minutes by car from the cave, famous for autumn red leaves and summer waterfalls, a great place for hiking and fresh air.
· Tangkou Hot Springs: About 1 hour by car from the cave, where you can soak in natural hot springs and relax.
· Laobian Valley / Dashihu Lake: Excellent spots for viewing maple leaves in autumn, perfect for photography enthusiasts.

Hope you have a great time at Benxi Water Cave!